OotD - Woodworth vows to fight on as House of Commons moves on

In the aftermath of his motion to consider redefining the legal
definition of human being going down to not quite so categorical a
defeat than some observers had expected, Conservative MP Stephen
Woodworth convenes what would seem to be his final press conference on
the issue this morning, during which he will almost certainly reiterate
the message that was dispatched under his name in news release form
following the vote; namely, that he has no intention of retreating from
the battlefield.

Back in the Commons, Chamber denizens will resume consideration of the government's bid to "help families
in need" by ensuring paid leave for parents contending with a seriously
ill or kidnapped child, which, thanks to the preliminary support of the
opposition, will soon be sent to committee.

Also on the media circuit today:

NDP MP Francois Lapointe presents his motion on asbestos, which is slated to be debated this evening,

NDP
Leader Tom Mulcair joins party health critics Libby Davies and Djaouida
Sellah on the stage of the National Press Theatre to launch a new
campaign on health care

NDP fisheries critic Robert Chisholm
"urges" the Conservatives to "reverse" the decision to end the
Freshwater Institute's experimental lakes program, which will also be
the focus of a rally slated to be held on the Hill this morning

Liberal MP Joyce Murray marks United Nations World Tourism Day by condemning the government's "attacks on Canadian tourism."

Green
Party Leader Elizabeth May delivers her analysis of two recent
agreements between Canada and China, which, in her view, hold "serious
implications for Canada's economic independence, national security,
democracy and environment."

The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco calls for "more federal action on illegal cigarettes."

The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries reveals the results of a self-commissioned report on the industry's "economic importance."

Later this morning, the Parliamentary Budget Office will release a new report on fiscal sustainability.

A
few blocks from the Hill, the Council of Canadians heads back to
federal court for a new round of legal arguments in their ongoing
challenge of election results in seven ridings.

Outside the
precinct, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is in Toronto to deliver "an
announcement on crime prevention" before heading off to Microsoft Canada
headquarters to kick off Cyber Security Awareness Month, after which
he's slated to deliver closing remarks at an international airport
investigators' training symposium.

Elsewhere in the GTA,
Veterans Affairs Minister Steve Blaney speaks at the third annual
"Veterans on Bay Street", and Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal
makes an appearance at a 2015 PanAm games "venue announcement" at the
University of Toronto's Scarborough campus, where, according to the PMO
'notable event' highlighter, an "important investment" will be unveiled.

In Brampton, Minister of State for Science Gary Goodyear
"celebrates the legacy" of the Canadarm and "the future of space
robotics" alongside Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield (but not,
presumably, Marc Garneau).

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq pops
up in Dartmouth with a new plan to "encourage healthy living and healthy
weights among Canadian children and youth."

On the interim
opposition leader front, Bob Rae treks to Belleville, where he will meet
with local supporters at Capers Restaurant.

Finally, later this
morning, the prime minister will be "honoured" (note: quotemarks denote
not only a direct citation, but sarcasm) in absentia as the recipient
of the "first ever" Richard Nixon Prize, which will be presented to an
Eastwood-esque empty chair by author Yves Engler at a Raging
Grannies-feted ceremony in the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers
Union boardroom, courtesy of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, the
Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Indigenous Environmental Network
and NOWAR-PAIX.

The political publicity stunt is timed to coincide with the PM's acceptance of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation's annual World Statesman Award, which he will receive in person at an invite-only gala in New York later this evening.

For up to the minute dispatches from the precinct and beyond, keep your
eye on the Parliament Hill Ticker below -- or, alternatively, bookmark
it and check back throughout the day.

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About the Author

Kady O'Malley has been covering the Hill for more than a decade (yes, really) for a variety of publications. An Ottawa girl (not quite born, but raised), she has a passion for politics that borders on the unhealthy, and has liveblogged her way through hundreds of committee meetings, press conferences, judicial inquiries, budget launches, cabinet shuffles, and even the odd constitutional crisis. Oh, and yes, her Boston Terrier really is named "BlackBerry."
For up-to-the-minute bulletins, follow Kady on twitter!